Traditional

I love traditions. In fact, love may not be a strong enough word. Am obsessed with seems more appropriate.

So yes, I am obsessed with traditions. Mostly, I like to think of this as a good thing. I like making memories. I like consistency. I like to know what to expect. I think that traditions are special, and homey, and comforting.

However, like with all obsessions, sometimes I'm obnoxious about tradition. I get kind of emotional and freaky if even the smallest, mundane tradition is not adhered to. Like the year when my mom politely suggested that we have Christmas breakfast in the kitchen instead of the dining room, and I replied with a tantrum that went something like, "We're not having Christmas breakfast in the dining room?!?! WE ALWAYS HAVE CHRISTMAS BREAKFAST IN THE DINING ROOM!!!!!!"

Nevertheless, with a smidge of reason and a dash of flexibility, I think my love obsession for tradition is generally well-received and appreciated by my friends and family...I hope.

So here are a list of a few traditions - some old, some new, some that I have just now decided will be traditions - for our annual friends' beach trip, which I suppose has become a tradition in and of itself:

• Suzanne's guacamole. The best ever.
• A lingerie shower and bachelorette party for at least one person. Seriously.
• Eating at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach
• Playing movie Pictionary
• A late-night trip to Wal-Mart
• Breakfast the last morning at Broken Egg Cafe. We always share an "appetizer" of Bananas Foster French Toast.
• Taco night, also directed by Suz
• Dinner at the Crab Trap
• Black Cherry Fresca
• Evening hot tub field trip
• Massive bowls of Puppy Chow

I recognize that well over half of these traditions are food-related. Perhaps we should add in some traditions like "Daily morning jog on the beach" or "Water aerobics with Jen."